Arch Med Sci
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Patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) are at high risk of recurrent cardiovascular events. The aim of the analysis was to compare time trends in the extent to which cardiovascular prevention guidelines have been implemented by primary care physicians and specialists. ⋯ The control of cardiovascular risk in CAD patients has only slightly improved since 1997/98 in all health care settings. The greatest potential for further improvement was found among patients whose post-hospital care is provided by primary care physicians. It is associated with promotion of a no-smoking policy and enhanced prescription of guideline-recommended drugs.
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Review
Probiotics for management of infantile colic: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
Infantile colic is a common pediatric problem. The cause of infantile colic remains unclear. Treatment options are limited. Evidence suggests that probiotics might offer some benefit. The aim of the study was to systematically assess the effectiveness of probiotics supplementation in the management of infantile colic. ⋯ Some probiotics, primarily L. reuteri DSM 17938, may be considered for the management of infantile colic. Data on other probiotics are limited.
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Redox signaling initiates pathogenesis of neuronal degeneration. Plumbagin is a potential antioxidant with anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and radio sensitizing properties. In the present study, we aimed to determine the protective role of plumbagin against H2O2-induced neurotoxicity in PC12 cells by determining nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) pathways. ⋯ Together, our results show that plumbagin modulated NF-κB and Nrf-2 signaling. Thus, plumbagin might be an effective compound in preventing H2O2-induced neurotoxicity and its associated inflammatory responses.
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Pediatric asthma has remained a health threat to children in recent years. The abnormal proliferation of airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells contributes to airway remodeling during development of asthma. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of ASM cell proliferation during airway remodeling. miR-590-5p has been reported to regulate cell proliferation in various cell types. However, it remains unclear whether miR-590-5p regulates ASM cell proliferation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential role of miR-590-5p in regulating fetal ASM cell proliferation in vitro stimulated by platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). ⋯ MiR-590-5p inhibits proliferation of fetal ASM cells by down-regulating STAT3, thereby suggesting a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of pediatric asthma.
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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and congestive heart failure (CHF) patients have higher serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), which alters the test interpretation. We aim to define BNP cutoff levels to diagnose acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) in CKD according to CHF subtype: heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). ⋯ BNP cutoff values for the diagnosis of ADHF in HFrEF were higher than those in HFpEF across CKD stages 3-4, with moderate discriminatory diagnostic ability.